University of Iowa sends flood barriers to Louisiana

The University of Iowa is sending flood barriers to Louisiana to help communities guard against flooding by the Mississippi River.

Matt Ryerson, The Hawk Eye via APThe University of Iowa is sending HESCO flood barriers, like these used by City of Burlington workers last month, to help communities in Louisiana.

The Iowa City-Press Citizen says Friday that the university is shipping nearly 12,000 feet of HESCO barriers, which it has had since the 2008 flood.

The barriers are essentially large boxes, made of a collapsible wire-mesh frame with a waterproof lining. The frames are assembled on site, and filled with dirt or gravel. They're also used as defensive walls by soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Officials say when Louisiana asked HESCO Bastion USA to provide the barriers, it didn't have enough to fill the request. The company then asked the University of Iowa.

The company plans to replenish the university's stock and reimburse the school for sending its supply to Louisiana.